Cause
a. "A disease of men, the symptoms of which are seen in sheep."
b. Inadequate carbohydrate (concentrate, energy) intake during late pregnancy.
c. Common in both older ewes with poor teeth and ewe lambs carrying twins.
d. Overfat ewes carrying twins or triplets appear more susceptible than ewes in poor condition or those with single lambs.
e. Stress, storms, transport, fasting, excessive heat, etc., aggravate the adverse effects of poor nutrition.
f. Basically, pregnancy disease results from hypoglycemia leading to ketosis, liver degeneration and decreased liver glycogen.

Signs
a. Affected ewes exhibit signs of impaired nervous function:
  - Listlessness
  - lack of appetite
  - aimless walking
  - leaning against objects
  - twitching of ears, eyes, tail, etc.
  - grinding of teeth
  - blindness
  - progressive loss of reflexes
  - paralysis: laying on chest
  - coma...death

b. The usual course of the disease lasts from 2 to 5 days.
c. Mortality rate may be as high as 80% regardless of treatment.

Treatment
a. Seldom effective. May try the following:
b. Glucose-producing substances, such as 
  - glycerol, or
  - propylene glycol
  - administer orally 7-8 oz. twice daily
c. Intravenous dextrose.
d. Removal of lamb by C-section usually increases survival rates. May need to abort lambs to save ewe.
e. Should also administer glucocorticoids.
f. Vitamin b12 to increase appetite.
g. Good nursing, such as plenty of water and stomach tube administration of finely ground quality hay.
h. Insulin is contraindicated. Glucose treatment may be used only in conjunction with glycerol or propylene glycol.

Prevention
a. Prevention of pregnancy disease can be achieved only through adequate nutrition of the breeding flock.
b. Prevent obesity in early pregnancy.
c. Adequate energy intake is paramount, especially during the last 6-8 weeks of gestation.
d. Avoidance of stress is also necessary.

This article is used by permission and is part of:
Nutritional Effects on Sheep Health
by Helen A. Swartz
State Sheep, Goat and Livestock Specialist
Lincoln University Cooperative Extension